Music, in many ways, can become outdated. Use of certain instruments or production style can show a song’s age. Another way music can date itself is through the lyrics. Ever hear a song and question if it would have been written in todays’ world? With the existence of cell phones, songs about beepers, telephone lines, missed calls, or handwritten letters would have sounded very different, or maybe wouldn’t have been written at all. Would Outkast be telling us to “shake it like a polaroid picture” had “Hey Ya” been written in 2023? Let’s explore some songs that contain out-of-date subject matter. Thanks to MPR listener Tom for the suggestion!

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear with outdated lyrics?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played:
R.E.M. – Star 69
The White Stripes – Hello Operator
The Replacements – Answering Machine
The Nerves – Hanging On The Telephone
The Beatles – You Know My Name (Look Up The Number)
Joe Jackson – Sunday Papers
Black Flag – T.V. Party
No Doubt – Spiderwebs (Bonus!)